Evelyn Jane (Hyde) Sessions

Evelyn Jane (Hyde) Sessions, 92, of Centennial, Colorado, passed away on September 22, 2022. She was born on December 26, 1929, in Mandan, North Dakota.  Evelyn was the youngest of four children born to Newton Ross Hyde, Sr. and Thelma Rea (Walker) Hyde.

From the time she was 8 months old, Evelyn and her family lived with her mother’s parents in Hardin, Montana after her father left to search for work but never returned leaving the family to make it through the Great Depression without him.  From a very young age Evelyn worked with her sisters and brother to help support her family any way she could. While there was very little money for extracurricular activities for the family, Evelyn was able to take piano lessons as a child which instilled in her a great love of music. Evelyn loved to sing and dance, especially the Jitter Bug, and developed a talent and love for oil painting. She attended Hardin High School in Hardin, Montana before meeting the love of her life, Vernon Kirk Sessions, at the Montana State Fair in Billings, Montana in 1948.

Evelyn married Vernon on May 6, 1951 on the Naval Destroyer Base in San Diego, California. After their wedding, Evelyn supported Vernon through his remaining Naval service, and College and Law School at the University of Wyoming while growing their family at the same time.

Evelyn and Vernon were blessed to be the parents of two daughters and one son. Sandra Jayne Sessions was born in 1952 and Steven Scott Sessions was born in 1954. On July 29, 1962, tragedy struck the family when they lost Sandra in an accident. On October 15, 1962, Evelyn and Vernon were sealed in the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Sandra and Steven. On May 10, 1966, Melissa Rea Sessions joined the family. On June 8, 1978, Melissa was sealed to Evelyn and Vernon in the Salt Lake City Temple.

As a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Evelyn had a love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a deep desire to serve the Lord and those around her. She would see someone in need and would serve them without regard to her own physical limitations relying on the Lord to lift her up in all that she did. She would share the Gospel of Jesus Christ when the moment was right. The biggest impact on Evelyn and her family was when Evelyn and Vernon were called to serve as Stake Missionaries for 18 months in the Capitol Hill Branch. Upon their release, instead of returning to their home Ward, Vernon was called to serve as the Branch President and eventually Bishop which provided Evelyn with the opportunity to serve Branch and Ward members in many capacities, including Relief Society President. Evelyn served and helped Vernon grow a small branch with an average of 12 people in attendance to a Ward with over 140 regularly attending members. Evelyn’s and Vernon’s callings in the Branch made a huge impact on their family. A legacy of love was shared with multiple generations of family and Church members, never to be forgotten. Evelyn and Vernon also valiantly served in the Denver Colorado Temple for 10 years. Many great blessings came from this time of service in the House of the Lord.

Evelyn worked faithfully by Vernon’s side as his legal secretary, paralegal, law firm administrator for the 60 years Vernon worked as a trial attorney.  She was the soft hug that many of Vernon’s clients needed throughout the legal process and was a true partner to Vernon. Park Avenue Law Office couldn't run without her. Evelyn had a true gift for making everyone feel they were special and mattered when they talked to her.

Evelyn is survived by her children: Steven (Deborah) Sessions of Centennial, Colorado and Melissa Jepperson of West Jordan, Utah; 6 grandchildren: Kade Sessions of Centennial, Colorado (Kristi) Weaver, Centennial, Colorado,  Jacquelyn (Spencer) Neff of Lehi, Utah, Stephanie (Steven) Sizemore of Aurora, Colorado, Cassandra (Douglas) Williams of Denver, Colorado, Spencer Sessions of Denver, Colorado, and Aerika (Nick) Jeppson of West Jordan, Utah; 13 great-grandchildren: Jane (19), Paige (16), Austin (15), William (14), Henry (13), Ellie (11), Evelyn (11), Kate (9), Gordon (8), Vivian (6), Lucille (4), Lily (4), and Sylvie (3); and her sister, Thelma Hyde of Minatare, Nebraska.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, October 3, 2022, in the chapel at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 4701 South Chambers Road, Aurora, CO 80015. Evelyn will be laid to rest beside her husband, Vernon, and their daughter, Sandra, at 2:00 pm on Monday, October 3, 2022, at Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, 10201 Grant Street, Thornton, CO 80229.

Memories of Evelyn and condolences for her family may be shared on the Tribute Wall. Thank you!